Results We Create

Our History

Jamboree nonprofit grows into a community development leader

Jamboree began with a single dream in one city: Build quality housing people can afford. Today, that dream is an expanding vision across the state of California with a corporate strategy that generates jobs, promotes healthy living, and creates supportive housing. Jamboree builds stronger communities.

From our first $1 million federal grant to a more than $1.1 billion portfolio, Jamboree is changing perceptions of affordable housing – a vision that began more than 25 years ago. A need that is greater than ever in today’s housing crisis.

Take a creative, illustrated look at the Jamboree story and our expanding efforts from our beginning in 1990 to today.

2018Jamboree releases a study on “The Impact of Affordable Housing” to verify the real economic, educational and social benefits for Jamboree residents and the neighborhoods surrounding our communities. Jamboree joins Orange County United Way and UC Irvine to produce the first report on “The Cost of Homelessness in Orange County.” Quality Development and Construction breaks ground on Jamboree’s first community in Fullerton, Compass Rose. Rehabilitation is completed on more than 550 apartment units in Jamboree’s property portfolio. Philanthropic organizations such as The Home Depot Foundation provide more than $1.4 million in donations and grants. Jamboree teams up with a new joint venture partner, the Pacific Companies, to develop some 1,000 units of senior and family housing.

2016Co-developed with Innovative Housing Opportunities, Jamboree’s Quality Development and Construction completes its first new construction property with Rockwood Apartments, an award-winning multifamily development for formerly homeless children and their families, plus permanent supportive housing for Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) clients living with mental illness. Jamboree expands its volunteer and intern program, amassing more than 5,500 hours of donated hours.

2014Jamboree provides nearly 10,000 hours of tutoring and enrichment programs for youth and more than 1,000 students participated in our academic achievement program. More than 63,000 pounds of healthy food is delivered to seniors. The 100+ residents who live with a mental illness in our permanent supportive housing receive an average of 20 hours of clinical services each week, helping them to thrive.

2013Nearly 1,000 of our residents gather for our sixth annual Jam!boree Day – a day of health and fitness in a local park – to celebrate the thousands of hours of physical activity logged through our Jam! Fit Clubs during the year.

2012Jamboree establishes Quality Development and Construction, a California licensed general contractor, to serve as a technical consultant, design expert, construction manager and general contractor for affordable housing communities developed by Jamboree. Jamboree opens Courier Place, our first multigenerational and LEED for Homes Platinum property. Just steps from the state capitol, Jamboree transforms historic Hotel Berry into The Studios at Hotel Berry.

2011Setting a new environmental standard for housing development, Jamboree is honored with OC Metro’s Green Team 2011 recognition as the only housing developer making the world a greener place, and receives the ENERGY STAR award Leadership in Housing for the fourth year in a row.

2000 – 2010Laura Archuleta is named President of Jamboree, and Jamboree launches “Housing With HEART” (Helping to Educate, Activate and Respond Together), an innovative services initiative tailored to residents’ needs. Jamboree’s first new construction property is located in a 3,500-acre master-planned community. Jamboree achievements gain award recognition with the Fair Housing Leadership Award from Fair Housing Council of Orange County, Developer of the Year (SCANPH) and Communities of Quality Award.

Jamboree moves into new corporate headquarters in Irvine, CA, and in 2005 celebrate our 15th Anniversary with an event that raises $250,000 for resident service programs. Jamboree sets a new standard for energy efficiency with the green building of a transit-oriented Lancaster community.

A major step forward is the new construction of our first special needs community, co-developed with HOMES, Inc., who then merged with Jamboree, expanding our Resident Services programs to include those living with a mental health diagnosis. Our 20th Anniversary celebration highlights the long-range ripple effect of Jamboree's affordable housing in local communities.

1990 – 1999Founded in 1990 to expand housing opportunities for low-income families and seniors in Irvine, Jamboree Housing Corporation started with a $1 million federal grant awarded to develop a first-time homebuyers’ program in the City of Irvine, followed by the acquisition of four Metropolitan condos in Irvine for rental housing through the Irvine Inclusionary Zoning Program.

Receiving IRS and Franchise Tax Board nonprofit status, Jamboree is also certified as a State and County Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). Our vision comes to life with the development of three affordable housing properties in southern California for seniors, and expands into northern California with the rehab of three properties.